Chapter 1: Discovering a New Community

In this piece, I want to share my experiences of welcoming adopted children into my family.

By a stroke of luck, I became part of the Orion foster family community in 2007. Seeking to escape city life, I aimed to raise my two children in a tranquil environment. We visited a quaint village and decided to settle down. I was drawn to the charm of the place and the warmth of its residents. At that time, the community comprised just two families and five children. We cultivated a sense of togetherness by sharing meals, tending to gardens, and taking turns educating the kids.

Six months later, our family grew with the arrival of Ira, an adopted daughter who was 10 years old. She quickly bonded with my two-year-old daughter, but her relationship with my six-year-old son was marked by jealousy and rivalry. Lacking knowledge about orphans, I viewed Ira's behavior as typical and raised her alongside my own children. Ultimately, she and my son developed a close friendship. Now at 23, Irina has excelled in her studies and is thriving in her career, and we share a loving relationship.

Two years later, Dima joined us at the age of 10. He was a shy boy who referred to himself as a "cat" and only sketched small cats with a simple pencil. I sought to support him and help unveil his talents, but he often seemed reserved and observed from a distance. A significant turning point occurred when Dima filled an entire whiteboard with a vibrant drawing of a house, sun, hare, road, grass, and flowers. This moment was incredibly meaningful to me as a mother. Dima has since completed his service in the army and plans to further his education.

In 2013, we welcomed Maxim, a cheerful boy with curly hair who was seven at the time. Remarkably, he was just a week older than my daughter, and they quickly became inseparable. Maxim emulated Sonya in his interactions with parents, and I learned to embrace his uniqueness. He thrived in this environment! Now at 15, he is preparing to pursue college.

Two years ago, we also welcomed another Maxim from a different foster home. Due to some challenges, he was unable to adjust to his previous environment. The creative Maxim struggled with strict rules, but I remain grateful to his former caregivers for instilling discipline and self-care in him. We offered him more freedom, leading to his blossoming personality. Now 14, he excels in drawing and has a passion for music and theater.

Each of my children is unique, yet they all belong to me. When others express concerns about their behavior and fail to see why I care, I remind them: "Your actions impact me and our family. You are my child. WE ARE FAMILY."

The first video captures the essence of community and connection found in the film "Other People's Children." It explores the intricacies of relationships formed through adoption.

The second video, "OTHER PEOPLE'S CHILDREN," presents a poignant look at the journey of embracing children from diverse backgrounds and the challenges they face.